Chapter 9: Grace: Unwelcome Advances

I have to leave the pack.

This realization is a long time coming, but when I wake up to Rafe's face staring down at me, in the relative safety of my own room, it's a decision made for me.

I'm not safe anywhere. Not even where I sleep.

"Don't shout," he whispers, placing a hand over my mouth.

I wasn't going to, anyway. No one would come to my aid here.

My nod seems to relieve him, because he lets me go and sits on my bed without asking for permission.

I sit up, my fingers clutching the blanket and pulling it over my chest. The thin fabric offers little protection, but it's all I have against Rafe's piercing blue gaze. I'm still wearing my clothes from yesterday, but being in my bed—in my room—leaves me feeling vulnerable.

My heart pounds, a traitorous rhythm that threatens to betray my resolve.

"What are you doing here?"

Rafe's sun-bright hair catches the dim light, a halo around his perfect features. His blue eyes, once a source of comfort, now make my stomach twist.

All I can see is how he dumped me for Ellie the moment he realized they were mates.

"How are you doing, Grace?"

His hand reaches for mine. I flinch away, pressing myself against the headboard.

"What are you doing here?" The words come out sharper this time.

Rafe's shoulders slump, and he runs a hand through his hair, mussing the perfect strands. "I'm worried about you."

A harsh laugh escapes my lips before I can stop it. "That's rich."

"I mean it, Grace. I care about you."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

His sad facade fades as his jaw clenches. There's a tick beneath his skin, a twitching that only serves to remind me he's changed. Like a personality transplant. Or, worse—I never knew him at all. "It's complicated."

"No, it's not. You chose her. You made that perfectly clear."

a flash of amber bleeding into the blue of his eyes. My lack of submission must anger his wolf, too. "It's not that

my words came out with more scorn and

earth and everything I once called

hang between us, heavy and undeniable. Making me

hand. His touch sends sparks racing

you," he

believe him. Let myself imagine a world where we could go back to the way things were. But then I remember Ellie's cruel smile. His indifference in the forest, when I was near-naked and terrified. And how impossible it is for me to remain in this

hand away. "You don't get to miss me. You don't get

flinch. He takes a deep breath, visibly trying to calm

I laugh. A brittle, sharp, broken sound. "Like how your new mate treats me like dirt?

leans forward, grabbing my hand and holding tight, not letting me

about how Ellie treats me. It's about how you let her treat me. How you stand

against my mate,

I demand, anger finally

eyes darken, and suddenly he's too close. His hand cups my cheek, and I hate the way I lean into his touch. Like a bad

me,

I hate him.

I miss

I dreamed of a future with him. I

away, scrambling out

"Grace—"

the familiar is terrifying. "You don't get to have both of us. You made your choice,

that alpha presence I once found so attractive now feeling oppressive. "You're mine, Grace.

It's amazing how much my heart hurts. Again. "No, I'm not. I'm human, remember? I don't belong to this pack, and I certainly don't belong to

wolf is fighting for control. He steps

wall beside my head. "You're just angry with me. It's okay, Gracie. I understand. I get it. I hurt

hand, brushing it against my jaw in a whisper-soft caress

is not the Rafe I

thoughts. He wanted me to be true to myself. He loved

didn't ever claim to own

to pleas. "I just want to be left alone. If Ellie finds

eyes drawn to my lips. "We'll keep it quiet.

she's not stupid. She'll

races at the anger darkening his eyes, even as his hand strokes my cheek in a gentle caress. "It's okay, Gracie. I'll make it okay. We can still be together in the end. I know I said

my hand, in soft, sensual kisses

mistake, Grace. But I'm going to get you back. You'll

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